New symptom - at least for me snd DH

Brokenhearted in Illinois

I was wondering if anyone experienced this. In the middle of the night DH started fighting “someone” and unintentionally hit me. He did not hurt me at all. I woke him up snd said he had a very strange experience and told me he was truly sorry. DH is stage 6. Is he acting out a dream? I am not afraid bout it would help me deal with this new phase of the disease. 😞

M1

Hi BH-even folks without dementia can do this, it’s a specific form of sleep disturbance known as REM sleep behavior disorder. Definitely talk to his docs, as medication may help.

GiGi1963

My husband has similar dreams or delusions at night. He has conversations that are angry at times. He looked at me one morning and angrily told me to get out immediately with a menacing glare which was a little scary. Daytime He is quiet and mild.

Brokenhearted in Illinois

Dear GiGi 1963 my husband is the same His glare and demeanor are very scary in the middle of the night. I get up Several times as he gets lost This is a new level-trying to physically engage with someone. In the morning he is so sweet

LJCHR

Yes, my DH started acting out his dreams after his diagnosis. One night he doubled his fist and hit me on the arm - so hard that had it been my nose he would have probably broken it. Sometimes he remembers his nightmares - one night he grabbed me real hard around the shoulders. I woke him up and asked what he was dreaming and he said that someone was trying to take me. Breaks my heart. I endured his constant twitching and fighting in his sleep until I had to go on blood thinners last July. I have moved into another room because I'm fearful of a brain-bleed if he were to hit me in the head, and I am getting a good night's sleep which I need to take care of him.

SSHarkey

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/68054/new-symptom-at-least-for-me-snd-dh

Absolutely! My husband does that so much we had to switch to twin beds to protect me from getting hurt. Not only that, he thrashed so much he threw himself out of the bed several times. Ended up with a hand fracture once. Our neurologist explained to us that it was REM Sleep Disorder. Basically the functional part of the brain that causes the body to go into a deep sleep pattern is now damaged. So the muscles are “acting out” the dr, as you mentioned. He’s now on a sedative that helps immensely. And has a bed rail to protect him from crashing on the floor. He’s also becoming more verbal he dreams.